Electric headlight-lamp



No. 6|7,62I. Patented Jan. l0, i899. H. P. WELLMAN.

EILECTRIC HEADLIGHT LAMP.

(Application led Sept. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(im Model.)

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No. 6l7,62|. Patented 1an. I0, |899. H. P. WELLMAN.

ELECTRIC HEADLIGHT LAMP.

(Application med sept. 15, 189s.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 617,62l.

Patenten 1an, m, |899. y H. P. wELLMAN. n Y ELEcTmc HEADLIGHT LAMP.

(Application lsd Spt. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheei 3.

(No Mudel.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IIARIiAhT P. VELLMAN, OF ASHLAND, KENTUCKY.

ELECTRIC HEADLIGHT-LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent .N o. 617,621, dated January 10, 1899.

Application filed September l5, 1898. Serial No. 690,999. (N0 mdel.)

To (LZZ whomz'ft may concern:

Be it known that I, HARLAN P. IVELLMAN, of Ashland, in the county of Boyd and State ofKentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Headlight- Lamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in electrical headlight-lamps.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a lamp of this character with manually-operated mechanism for starting or esF tablishing the arc.

Further objects of the invention are to provide improved means for effecting the relative adjustment of the positive and negative carbons simultaneously, the adjustment of the negative carbon independently of the positive carbon regulating the position of the lamp so that the light-rays may be directed ahead of the car to any desired point, connecting the positive terminal of the lamp to the trolley circuit, and .finally to reduce to a minimum the number of working parts for feeding or adjusting the carbons.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a lamp constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the lamp suspended from the dash of a car, the lamp-casing being indicated only in general outline. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the carbon-adj ustin g mechanism. Fig. Il is an enlarged detail with parts in section. Fig. 5 is a view of one of the carbon-rods. Fig. G shows a top plan view of the lamp-casing. Fig. 7 is a view of the lamp-casing adjuster.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the lamp-casing in its entirety, d the wooden base thereof, and a two hangers by which the casin g is hung or suspended on dash S oi' a car.

a2 is a parabolic reflector, which is secured at u? to casing A by suitable means, that shown consisting of a threaded lug and a com plementary part.

B is a device for adjusting the position of the lampcasing so-as to direct the light-rays to the desired point in advance of the car. It comprises a frame having two longitudinal bars b and a cross-bar the former being pivoted at b2 to the rear wall of casing A. From the lower ends of bars b project angular extensions b3, to accommodate which holes or openings are formed in casing A. In the extreme outer ends of these extensions are buffers b4, preferably of rubber, which are designed to prevent scratching or defacing the dash S. The extent to which the buffer ends project beyond the casing is controlled by an adjusting-screw bmounted in said casing and Working in a central threaded opening of cross-bar b. By this means the lamp-casingwill hang from the dash at any desired inclination.

To base a is secured a stationary frame C, of skeleton form, having a central squared opening cl to accommodate the squared portion d of a rod cl2, to which latter the negative carbon 2 is secured, being held in a clamp d3 of said rod. A second but inverted frame D depends from the removable top d4 of casing a, an insulating-disk d5 being interposed between said frame and top. This top is held in place by interlocking lugs and ears d, and by means of a handle CV the top may be readily released for removal. In frame D, which is also of skeleton form, is a central squared opening cls, which accommodates a squared portion c of a rod E of the ,positive carbon 3, said rod having a clamp e for holding said carbon. The carbonrod d2 has a central threaded enlargement 4, while the carbon-rod E has a central threaded enlargement 5, the left-hand thread of the latter being cut at a Agreater angle than the righthand thread of the former, the variance being about two to one. Beyond this threaded enlargement each rod is rounded or of cylindrical form, terminating at its outer end in the carbon-holding clamp.

F designates a sleeve which incloses the rounded portion of carbon-rod E and is formed with an internal thread with which the thread ed portion 5 engages. On the exterior of this IOO sleeve is a flange j", having upwardly-projected teeth or serrations f.

G designates the arc-inclosure, which may be made of glass or any other translucent material. At its upper end it is screwed or otherwise secured to a casing g, having an upper cylindrical enlargement g', which latter on its inner surface is formed with teeth g2 and in its center has an opening to accommodate sleeve F. Surrounding` this opening is a flange g3, having downwardly-projecting teeth or serrations g", designed to interlock with the teeth of flange f. This interlocking is ordinarily maintained by a spiral spring gX encircling sleeve F and bearing at its ends against casing g and a collar g5, fast on sleeve F. This spring tends to hold the sleeve F elevated. At its lower end the arc-inclosure G is screwed or otherwise secured to a casing II, which is formed with a central sleeve 7L, having an intern al thread with which engages a threaded enlargement i of the negative carbon-rod d'2. The lower end of the sleeve t rests upon the frame C. Both of the carboncarrying rods being prevented from rotating by reason of their squared portions fitting in corresponding holes in their holding-frames, any revolution of the arc-inclosure and the end easings carried thereby will, by reason of the engagement between the threaded portions of said rods and their inclosing sleeves, effect the adjustment of said rods toward or away from each other. This adjustment of the arc-inclosure, or rather its rotation on its longitudinal axis, is effected by a perpendicular shaft h, on the lower end of which is a pinion 7i?, which meshes with the teeth gii of casing g. This shaft at its upper end has a milled head h3 and is held in place by lateral bearings 7L, projecting from frameD. On this shaft is a ratchet-wheel 7i, with which engages a pawl 7L to serve as a guide to the motorman in adjusting the carbon-rods. The shaft 7L is normally held elevated by an encircling spring I, which at its upper end bears against a collar t' on said shaft. Immediately above this collar is a second collar i, which is fast on said shaft, and by engaging with the frame D limits the upward movement of said shaft 7L under the action of spring I. The pinion 7f3 is of such depth that it will always be in engagement with the teeth g.

Dy turning the shaft t in one direction the two carbons will be fed toward each other, the positive carbon being moved at twice the speed of the negative carbon, thus compensating for the uneven consumption of the earbons and maintaining the electric are in the focus of the reflector. For this latter purpose it is frequently essential that the negative carbon be adjusted independently of the positive carbon. This is effected by first disengaging the teeth or serrations of the sleeve F from those of the casing (j before rotating the arc-inclosure. When this disengagement exists, the rotation of the arc-inclosure acts only upon the negative carbon-rod. To this end, on sleeve F, between the stationary col-- lar g5 and a second stationary collar gm, I place a loose-fitting collar j, having diametrically opposite lateral lugs j', to which are secured the lower ends of two bars j?, which at their upper ends are pivotally secured to two levers f. These levers are pivoted at one end to depending linksj'l, which are loosely suspended from frame D. In the drawings I have only shown one of these bars j', levers jf, and links jl, an exact counterpart thereof being on the other side of frame D. At their outer ends the levers j are loosely secured to laterally-proj ectin g lu gs ji of the loose-httin g collar 't' on shaft 7i. IIence by depressing shaft 72, as against the tension of its spring I the spring gL will be compressed by the downward movement of sleeve F, which movement is suliicient to disengage the interlocking teeth or serrations. "When the parts are thus positioned, the turning of shaft 7L will effect the rotation of the arc-inelosure, and consequently the negative carbon-rod, without rotating or affecting the position of the positive carbon-rod other than that occasioned by the lowered position of its inclosing sleeve. Immediately upon releasing the pressure on the shaft h' the parts will resume their normal position and the sleeve F will be again interlocked with casing g, so that any rotation of shaft 7L will effect the simultaneous adjustment of both the negative and positive earbons.

K is the negative terminal of lamp, which is connected by a wire 7a to lamp-casing A at terminal 7.1. An automatic contact switch and blade 7J? connects with the inverted frame D when the top of the casing is locked in position. A wire f1; connects the switch and blade to a spring plug-socket L in the lamp base or bottom, which when the proper connection is made with the full-line working potential of an electric railway completes the positive lamp-circuit, the dash of the car, heing grounded, forming, through the wire 7.', the complete circuit from the lamp to the ground.

M designates a positive terminal plug designed to fit within the spring-socket L. It is connected to a flexible wire ./r, which leads from a terminal block m, which latter is connected to the trolley-circuit through a resistance (not shown) by a positive wire ft2. At any suitable point is located, preferably beneath the car-platform, a socket m', in which the plug M is positioned when the lamp is not in use. This socket is so located relatively to the terminal block m that the wire u," will not sag to too great an extent when the plug is inserted in said socket.

From what has been said the operation of a lamp constructed in accordance with my improvements will be apparent. After the plug M is inserted in the spring-socket Il the inotorman presses downward on shaft L, forcing the positive carbon into contact with the negative carbon, and, immediately removing ICO IIOy

such pressure, allowing the parts to resume their elevated position under the tensions of springs gX and l, the formation of the arc is completed. when burned too far apart, the motorman simply rotates the shaft 7b in a clockwise direction. If the carbons should be too close together, the shaft 7L is turned in the opposite direction. To effect the adjustment of the negative carbon independently of the positive carbon, the shaft 71, is again depressed, and While so held is rotated. In this Way the arc may always be maintained in the line of focus or focal center of the reflector. Hence it will be seen that the adjustment of both the positive and negative carbons is effected by rotating the translucent arc-inclosure, to Whichthe feeding or adjusting mechanism of both the carbons are directly connected. It is evident that the only strain or tension on the arc-inclosure is in the adjustment of the negative carbon.

NVithout departing from the spirit of my invention changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts herein described.

I claim as my invention-- l. An electric headlight-lamp having positive and negative carbons, an inclosure for said carbons, means to which said inclosure is secured for adjusting said carbons, and means for axially rotating said inclosure, whereby said carbons may be relatively adj usted.

2. An electric headlight-lamp having positive-and negative carbons, an inclosure for said carbons, means to which said inclosure is secured for adjusting said carbons, and means for axially rotating said inclosure comprising a rotary member projecting outside of the lamp.

3. An electric headlight-lamp having positive and negative carbons, rotary feeding mechanisms therefor in axial line With each other, an inclosure forsa'id carbons connected at its ends to said mechanisms, and means for axially rotating said inclosure and mechanisms; whereby said carbons may be simultaneously adjusted.

et. An electric headlight-lamp having positive and negative carbons, rotary feeding mechanisms therefor in axial line with each other, an inclosure for said carbons secured at its ends to said mechanisms, means for detachably connectingone of said carbons to its feeding mechanism, and means for axially rotating said inclosure and mechanisms, subl stantially as set forth.

To feed the carbons together G. An electric headlight-lamp having positive and negative carbon rods, adjustingsleeves for said rods, an inclosure to one end of which one of said sleeves is positively Secured, the other sleeve being detachably connected to the other end of said inclosure, a spring for normally maintaining such connection, and means for rotating said inclosure and disconnecting said detachable sleeve therefrom, substantially as set forth.

7. In an electric headlight-lamp, the combination with the frames having angular openings therein, of the carbon-rods having angular portions corresponding to said open- -ings and also having threaded enlargements,

adjusting-sleeves for said rods having internal threads, an inclosure connecting both of saidsleeves, and means for axially rotating said inclosure, substantially as set forth.

8. In an electric headlight-lamp, the combination with the frames having angular openings therein, of the carbon-rods having angular portions corresponding to said openings and also having threaded enlargements, adjusting-sleeves for said rods having internal threads, casings carrying said sleeves, one of said casings having a series of gear-teeth, an inclosure connecting said casings, and an operating-shaft having a pinion meshing with said teeth, substantially as set forth.

9. ln an electricheadlight-lamp, the combination with the frames having angular openings therein, of the carbon-rods having angular portions corresponding to said openings and also having threaded enlargements, adjusting-sleeves for said rods having internal threads, a casing to which one of said sleeves is iixedly secured, a second casing having a series of gear-teeth and a series of serrations with which the other one of said sleeves engages, a spring normally maintaining such engagement, a shaft having a pinion meshing with said gear-teeth, and an inclosure connected to both of said casings, substantially as set forth.

lO. The combination with the upper and lower frames, and the carbon-rods fitted therein having external threads, sleeves for said rods having inner threads, and a lower casing carrying one of said sleeves, the other one of said sleeves having a liange formed with serrations, of an upper casing having a series of gear-teeth and a series of serrations with which said former serrations engage, aspring for maintaining such engagement, an operating-shaft having a pinion meshing With said gear-teeth, and an inclosure connecting said casings, substantially as set forth.

ll. rlhe combination with the upper and lower frames, and the carbon-rods fitted therein having external threads, sleeves for said rods having inner threads, and a lower casing carrying one of said sleeves, of an upper'casing to which the other one of said sleeves is detachably connected, a spring for maintaining such engagement, a circular series of gear-teeth carried by said upper eas- IOO IIO

ing, aspring-held shaft having a pinion meshing with said gear-teeth, and a device operated by said shaft connected to said upper sleeve for effecting the disengagement thereof from said upper' easing, substantially as set forth.

l2. The combination with the upper and lower frames, and the carbon -rods fitted therein having external threads, sleeves for said rods having inner threads, and a lower casing carrying one of said sleeves, of an u pper casing to which the other one of said sleeves is detaohably connected, a spring for maintaining such engagement, a circular scries of gear-teeth carried by said upper caising, a sprin g-held shaft havin ga pinion meshing with said gear-teeth, a collar on said shaft, and a second collar on said upper sleeve, levers connected to the former collar, and bars connecting said levers to the second-mea tioned collar, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the carbon-rods having threaded portions, and frames for said rods, of the adjusting-sleeves for said rods having internal threads, casings for said sleeves, a spring for detachably holding one of said sleeves to its casing, means for depressing said sleeve independently of its casing, and an inclosure connecting said casings, substantially as set forth.

ll. The combination with the carbon-rods having threaded portions, and 'fram es for said rods, of the adjusting-sleeves for said rods having internal threads, casings for said sleeves, a spring for detachably holding one of said sleeves toits easing, means for depressing said sleeve independently of its easing, an inclosure connecting said casings, and means foraxially rotating said inclosure, substantially as set forth.

l5. An electric headlight-lamp having a pivoted frame attached to its rear Wall, said frame having rearward proj ections,and means for adjusting said frame, as and for the purpose set forth.

1G. An electric headlight-lamp having its easing formed with openings, a frame pivoted to said easing having angular projections extended outward through said openings, buffers on said projections, and an adjusting screw engaging said frame, substantially as set forth,

In testimony whereof I have signed this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HABLAN P. VELLMAN.

Witnesses:

W. C. RICHARDSON, R. L. Rionannsox. 

